Developed by Blizzard Entertainment and published by Sunsoft, *The Death and Return of Superman* stands as one of the few 16-bit superhero titles that authentically translates a major comic book event into a playable format. Following the iconic "Doomsday" arc, the game tasks players with navigating a traditional side-scrolling beat 'em up structure while rotating through the distinct personas of Superman, Superboy, Steel, the Eradicator, and the Cyborg Superman. While the core loop involves pummeling waves of thugs and robotic sentries, the inclusion of flight mechanics and projectile attacks like heat vision adds a necessary layer of verticality that sets it slightly apart from the era's standard urban brawlers.
Visually, the Mega Drive version manages to capture the grim, industrial aesthetic of early 90s Metropolis, though the color palette feels somewhat restricted compared to its SNES counterpart. The gameplay can veer into monotony due to the limited move sets for each character, but the boss encounters against Doomsday provide a genuine challenge that demands strategic use of special abilities. Despite the repetition, the pacing is buoyed by the narrative progression, allowing fans of the source material to see key moments of the comic lore unfold across several diverse stages. It is interesting to note how the late 1995 release window saw a strange mix of genres on the console; for instance, while this brawler was reaching its audience, the puzzle game *Zoop* was also hitting UK and European shelves that same year, though it notably never saw a Japanese Mega Drive release.
Ultimately, this title is a competent, if slightly uninspired, addition to the Mega Drive library that benefits immensely from its license. It lacks the fluid combat depth found in genre titans like *Streets of Rage 2*, but the novelty of playing as the various "Reign of the Supermen" characters keeps the experience engaging for a full playthrough. For collectors and DC aficionados, it remains a high-water mark for the Man of Steel’s 16-bit career, proving that even a formulaic brawler can be elevated by strong thematic consistency and a faithful adaptation of legendary comic book panels.
